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Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author/publisher to The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

About The Book:From the Book Blurb: Fifth grade English teacher, Kendra Wright, doesn’t believe in instant love. In fact, at twenty-nine, she’s all but given up hope of ever finding love, period. That is, until she meets the new principal, Valerian Riche. He may be stunning, gentlemanly and honorable, but falling for the man is the last thing on Kendra's agenda. But when Val makes the first move, Kendra’s life as the youngest spinster to ever grace the pages of history is turned upside down. She’s longed to be treated like the lady she knows she is, but technically, is not. But if the truth comes out, it will destroy her career and end the wildest romantic ride she’s ever known. Kendra must end the relationship before she’s in too deep. Before the truth is revealed. But, how does a lady say no to the charm-charged wiles of a man as determined, and eager, as Val Riche? While she anticipates the horror of breaking the news, he persists on making her decision as difficult as possible. Maybe Val should’ve checked Kendra’s package before he unchecked his heart.

The Review: This is an exceptional and well-written story that explores the realities facing a trans woman [often insultingly called a “She/Male”] who longs for the love of a man but is afraid of what will happen when that person discovers that she has a set of fully functional male genitalia. The author’s exploration of the plight of this man/woman when confronted with the man of her dreams makes for an interesting and informing read.

However, there are issues of believability, inconsistencies, contradictions, and confusions. Would an extraordinarily handsome and very rich first-day-on-the-job elementary school principal sexually stalk one of his teachers, even to the point of virtually raping her in a janitor’s closet? Would the couple’s first visit to his home involve his father and mother sexually fondling her, and the butler forcing her to give him a blowjob? Could their relationship fluctuate to the point that she hates then loves him, desiring him yet believing him sadistic? Would she tie him up in his office as punishment and then consent to his unseemly [given his romantic actions in other settings] demand that she suck his cock? How does Val learn of Kendra’s actual sexual nature, and what is the basis for his seeking her because of it?

To the author’s credit, her portrayal of Kendra and Val having sex without his becoming aware that she has a penis is very creative. However, I am not sure that the author ever fully addresses the main challenge to their relationship, and thus of the story.

Apparently, Kendra, as a man and now as a trans woman, is gay, and while she has assumed the identity of a woman, perhaps for that very reason – her actual sexual orientation – she has not undergone a sex change operation that would have allowed her to have a heterosexual relationship. Therefore, despite her repeated statements her real desire is not to be loved as a woman but as she finally says, to be accepted as a transgender [TG]. But even then, the portrayal is not quite accurate, for she does not really fit that definition either, usually stated as being a man in a woman’s body, or vice a versa. Kendra is in fact a trans woman who lives as a female but retains her male genitals. She is gay in that her primary sexual activities are with a man [she resists a lesbian offer], and culminate in anal intercourse. Thus, the climax of the story might better have consisted in her accepting her actual identity, and in Val, who has pursued her because of what she is, and is probably gay himself, being the kind of person with whom she can find love.

A stronger and culminating focus on the issues that flow from Kendra’s actual sexual identity would have improved this otherwise excellent story.

Pagan Elements: None

Cover (Rated 1-10): 5—I like the Cover, though there is little indication in its image of the actual story, except that the playful attraction between a handsome man and a pretty woman does express one of its scenes. The title is, I believe, slightly deceptive: Kendra does not really want to be a woman, and in fact is dealing with a different issue. Though I enjoyed the story, since the Book Blurb, Title, or Cover did not quite accurately suggest it, I would need more than these would to motivate me to purchase this book.

Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

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